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I've finally found someone I wish to extend an offer to as a business partner and make him a part owner in the company, only he's international. The company is an LLC based in the USA and this gentleman is based in Germany (German Citizen). From what I read of business partner agreements, they are relatively informal so I'm hoping there aren't any major road blocks with this. Are there any major hurdles with international business partners?

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Do you mean to use the term partner? A partnership (in the US) is:

A partnership is the relationship existing between two or more persons who join to carry on a trade or business. Each person contributes money, property, labor or skill, and expects to share in the profits and losses of the business.

A partnership must file an annual information return to report the income, deductions, gains, losses, etc., from its operations, but it does not pay income tax. Instead, it "passes through" any profits or losses to its partners. Each partner includes his or her share of the partnership's income or loss on his or her tax return.

You state you have a company, is your intent to restructure the ownership of your company to make him a partner or is your intent to have your company enter into a business arrangement with this individual in Germany.

This could have substantial tax repercussions if your intent is to have him as an investor. If you have made a subchapter S election, the you will loose subchapter S status because a subchapter S corporation can not have foreign investors.

As to the formality of your business dealings, yes they can be informal, but that may not be to your benefit.

Structuring a deal like this is a perfect example of where an ounce of prevention can be worth a pound of cure. Take your time and get it right.

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The company is currently setup as an LLC, I suppose what I mean it to bring him on as a part owner of the company, if that makes any difference. – Marco Ceppi Feb 15 '12 at 1:49
Are you sunchapter S? – JonnyBoats Feb 15 '12 at 2:37
No, just an LLC. – Marco Ceppi Feb 15 '12 at 4:04
Then having a foreign investor is probably fine for you. Check with your accountant as there will be additional tax forms to file. – JonnyBoats Feb 15 '12 at 4:46

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